Importation of non-human primates into the EU for research and toxicity testing purposes and Commission plans for a phase-out
13.6.2023
Question for written answer E-001888/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE), Tiziana Beghin (NI), Ignazio Corrao (Verts/ALE), Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE), Martin Buschmann (NI), Sylwia Spurek (Verts/ALE), Niels Fuglsang (S&D), Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Karen Melchior (Renew), Dino Giarrusso (NI), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), Caroline Roose (Verts/ALE), Pascal Durand (S&D)
Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes[1]recognises that the capture of non-human primates from the wild is highly stressful for the animals concerned and carries an elevated risk of injury and suffering.
In order to end wild capture, Article 10 of the directive requires the Member States to ensure that the primates listed in Annex II are used in procedures only when they are the offspring of primates bred in captivity or when sourced from self-sustaining colonies. This requirement was supposed to take effect in November 2022[2].
However, the second feasibility study[3]on the subject concluded that ‘it is not possible to determine if or whether the aspiration of sourcing from self-sustaining colonies will be achieved in the future, but with the recent changes in usage, availability, demand and breeding practices … it is unlikely to be achieved for all commonly used primate species in the foreseeable future.’
The EU took an important moral stance when it decided to end its involvement in one of the cruellest sides to the sourcing of primates. What are the Commission’s current plans regarding the provision introduced by Directive 2010/63/EU to phase out the use of wild-caught primates and move towards using only individuals bred in self-sustaining colonies?
Submitted:13.6.2023
- [1] Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (OJ L 276, 20.10.2010, p. 33).
- [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-003039-ASW_EN.html#ref1.
- [3] https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/8ee3c69a-bccb-4f22-89ca-277e35de7c63/library/071d3900-13f9-4ab9-b888-11ae93a4fe15/details.